A serene day on Lake Tahoe turned into an unimaginable tragedy when a sudden storm capsized a boat, claiming eight lives, including DoorDash executive Joshua Pickles.
At a Glance
- A sudden, severe storm on Lake Tahoe on Saturday, June 21, capsized a powerboat, killing eight of the ten people on board.
- The victims included DoorDash executive Josh Pickles, 37; his parents, Terry Pickles and Paula Bozinovich; and his uncle, Peter Bayes.
- The group was celebrating Paula Bozinovich’s 71st birthday when the boat was overwhelmed by waves up to eight feet high and 35 mph winds.
- Two people survived the accident and were rescued from the dangerously cold water.
A Birthday Celebration Turns Deadly
What began as a joyful family celebration on Lake Tahoe ended in tragedy on Saturday, June 21, when a sudden and violent storm capsized a 27-foot powerboat, killing eight people. The group had gathered to celebrate the 71st birthday of Paula Bozinovich. Among the deceased were Bozinovich, her husband Terry Pickles, 73, and their son, 37-year-old DoorDash executive Josh Pickles.
According to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, the boat overturned near D.L. Bliss State Park as a severe storm whipped up waves of six to eight feet and winds gusting over 35 mph. The two survivors were rescued from the frigid water and taken to a local hospital.
Remembering the Victims
The loss has devastated a wide circle of family, friends, and colleagues. In a statement to the San Francisco Chronicle, Josh Pickles’s wife, Jordan Sugar-Carlsgaard, mourned the loss of her “loving husband, Josh Pickles; his parents, Terry Pickles and Paula Bozinovich; and Uncle Peter Bayes, as well as friends.” She was not on the boat, having stayed ashore with their 7-month-old daughter.
DoorDash also released a statement mourning the loss of a key leader. “We are heartbroken by the tragic accident that took the life of our beloved colleague, Josh Pickles,” said CFO Ravi Inukonda. “Josh loved his team and was an inspiration to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. The loss of Josh is immeasurable.”
The other victims were identified as Timothy O’Leary, 71, of Auburn, California; Theresa Giullari, 66, and James Guck, 69, of Honeoye, New York; and Stephen Lindsay, 63, of Springwater, New York.
The Aftermath and Investigation
The incident prompted a massive, multi-day search and recovery operation involving the U.S. Coast Guard and multiple local law enforcement agencies. The final missing victim was recovered on Monday afternoon. The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office has extended its “deepest heartfelt condolences to the families of those who were lost.”
Authorities are continuing to investigate the accident, which is one of the deadliest in Lake Tahoe’s recent history. The tragic event serves as a stark reminder of how quickly conditions can change on the alpine lake and the critical importance of boating safety.
